Film still from Drive Back Home by Michael Clowater.

32nd Rendezvous with Madness Festival

October 25 – November 3, 2024 | Presented by Workman Arts
In Person and Online. Tickets Available Now!

The Rendezvous with Madness Festival, presented by Workman Arts, is the first and largest arts and mental health festival in North America. Using art as the entry point to illuminate and investigate the realities and mythologies surrounding mental illness and addiction, Rendezvous With Madness spotlights the human capacity for endurance in the face of great challenges.

This year’s tagline, “Shine ; Together”, reflects Rendezvous’s aim to illuminate often unseen narratives surrounding mental health, addiction, and recovery. Through creative expression, we shine a light on these experiences with all their complexities and nuances, helping us understand and share them in various ways. The semicolon, a known symbol of suicide prevention, rests in the middle of a simple but powerful phrase. It stands as a symbol of hope during dark and challenging times, reminding us that our stories are not over. We are here, strong together, shining together. There is a light and the light is us.

Rendezvous programming will be offered this year at CAMH Auditorium, Tranzac Club, Gallery Hallways at Youngplace and online.

The festival kicks off with our Rendezvous with Madness: Fundraiser Soirée on Wednesday, October 23 at The Annex Hotel. Join us to celebrate the start of our 32nd annual festival, support in raising funds for Workman Arts and enjoy food and drink from local businesses.

Between October 25 and November 3, Rendezvous showcases a range of feature and short films from around the globe, alongside four live performances, a music showcase & night market in addition to online and onsite workshops.

Our exhibition begins on November 3, titled The Looms We Resemble; a group exhibition showcasing textile-based works by six artists who bring topics of belonging, the body, healing and ancestry.

All tickets are Pay What You Wish (PWYW) and there will be both in-person and virtual options for engaging with the festival, so all patrons can enjoy safely. Please note: We strongly recommend the use of face masks at onsite events.

View the Full Schedule

Join the Conversation
Many onsite events will include deep discussions with artists, mental health professionals and persons with so-called lived experience who will engage in illuminating conversations about the intersections of the healing properties of art and so much more. Join the Conversation on social media using the hashtags #RWMFest and #ShineTogether.

Festival Highlights

Film still from WaaPaKe (Tomorrow). Courtesy of National Film Board of Canada.

Opening Night Film

WaaPaKe (Tomorrow)
Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin | 2023 | Canada (Attawapiskat) | Documentary | 80 minutes | English
Friday, October 25, 6:30pm
CAMH Auditorium, 1025 Queen Street West at Ossington, 2nd floor, Toronto
Barrier-free venue. ASL interpretation, on site active listener, and Open Captions provided

Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin’s deeply personal documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) asks the difficult question: “Who are we without our pain?” In WaaPaKe (Tomorrow), Koostachin makes the difficult decision to step in front of the camera and participate in the circle of truth.

Exhibition

The Looms We Resemble
Curated by Fatma Hendawy
November 3 – December 9, 2024
Youngplace Hallway Galleries, 180 Shaw Street, Third Floor, Toronto
Barrier-free venue; on site active listener

Curatorial Tour: Saturday, November 30, 2 – 4pm
Workshop: Storytelling Circle with Sarah Abusarar, Location & Date TBA

Learn more

Fundraiser

Rendezvous with Madness: Fundraiser Soirée
Wednesday, October 23, 6pm
The Annex Hotel, 296 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Tickets: $150 per person

Workman Arts is delighted to invite you to our Rendezvous with Madness Fundraiser Soirée! Experience a Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony hosted by Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, enjoy a selection of canapés crafted by acclaimed Chef Rachel Adjei of The Abibiman Project, and relish two complimentary beverages with your ticket purchase.

Purchase tickets

Special Events

Public Speaking Thru Comedy by MalPensando
Thursday, October 31, 10pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener

Laughter is the best medicine indeed … come check out this MalPensando-hosted comedy showcase.

We Lost You A Long Time Ago by Nicole Decsey Dance Projects
Friday, November 1, 8pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener

We Lost You A Long Time Ago follows the journey of a friendship’s abrupt ending due to mental illness and addictions.

Rhythm of the Night — Music Showcase & Night Market
Saturday, November 2, 8pm
Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Wheelchair accessible space, on site active listener

Join us as we dance, headbang, and groove the night away with three diverse musical acts alongside a night market featuring Workman Arts members.

Music curated by Smoking Room Only.

Centerpiece Film

Film still from My Dad’s Tapes. Courtesy of Kurtis Watson.

My Dad’s Tapes
Kurtis Watson | 2023 | Canada | Documentary | 82 minutes | English
Wednesday, October 30, 6:30pm (Box office opens at 5:30pm)
CAMH Auditorium, 1025 Queen Street West at Ossington, 2nd floor, Toronto
Barrier-free venue. On site active listener, live captioning provided

On August 9, 2006, Leonard Watson dropped off his eight-year-old son Kurtis at summer camp. That’s the last time anyone saw Leonard. He was considered missing until 30 days later when he was found dead by apparent suicide. Fourteen years later, Kurtis Watson discovers a trove of home videos; My Dad’s Tapes documents the tremendously brave embrace of a reality in which some of our most burning questions may forever be unanswered. – Hot Docs

Festival Accessibility
Rendezvous With Madness is committed to values of inclusivity and accessibility for all guests, staff, volunteers and artists. Event-specific accessibility initiatives are indicated on each program’s webpage. For more about accessibility at the festival, please see the accessibility information page on our website.

Workman Arts
1025 Queen Street West, #2400
Toronto Ontario M6J 1H4
www.workmanarts.com
info@workmanarts.com
416-583-4339

Presented with the generous support of: